2012 Belmont Miscellaneous Photos

Date: 06/11/2012

There are lots of other things to see at Belmont besides the racing. Here are some miscellaneous or interesting photos for you to enjoy. Click the small photo too see a larger version.

A PETA activist snuck into the winner's circle after the Belmont Stakes and held up a sign saying "BAN HORSE DOPERS". She was quickly removed and arrested. The incident never made it to television and only a few people in or close to the winner's circle noticed.

A view of the finish of the race from farther up the stretch. John Velazquez aboard Union Rags (inside) said, "I made the decision, he's going to come out. He's going to hit left-handed, he's going to have to come out. I engaged my horse to get into the spot. The spot was not open yet. I had to have him ready for it. When the hole opened up a little bit, he got through and he put a good fight."

Mike Smith aboard Paynter said, "Both horses rode their hearts out. It's just hard on me. I just blame myself for the end there. Otherwise I thought I rode great."

There was a retirement ceremony for I'll Have Another in the winner's circle just after the Manhattan Handicap. He was brought in the paddock and saddled, then walked through the tunnel and down Victory Lane to the winner's circle.

Unfortunately they also brought Lava Man with him and he was quite unruly and made it very difficult to get a shot of I'll Have Another. They put Mario Gutierrez aboard for the photos and these are the best we could get.

Trainer Doug O'Neill unsaddles I'll Have Another after the retirement ceremony while Lava Man looks on. O'Neill said, "He's had an incredible run. In any sport you have to stay injury free. Unfortunately he came up with a slight injury. Could we have run him?
Yes. But would that have been the right move? No. I was proud of the whole team. It was unanimous in not running him. It's been such an unbelievable run. He's a once in a lifetime horse. We're just focused on all the great part of this journey he took us through."

Early in the day, jockey Mario Gutierrez was presented a plaque by Carlos M. Sada, the consul general for Mexico based in New York, commemorating his wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness aboard I'll Have Another. Mario said, "He's the one that brought us here. We have to take care of him. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here. He's given this to me. I've got the Kentucky Derby. I got the Preakness. No one can take it away. It will stay with me the rest of my life, thanks to I'll Have Another. He made that possible."

The flower blanket and bouquets for the winner and the trophies before the race.

The crowded grandstand as seen from the infield before the Just a Game Stakes (G1). You can see the sign on the right about halfway down the stands. It says. "The Martin Party since 1974 saw Slew admired Affirmed and now we say I'll ^not Have Another". Obviously the "not" was a last minute change.

A little fan of I'll Have Another shows off his outfit before the Manhattan Handicap.

Actor John Ortiz who played horse trainer Turo Escalante in the TV series "Luck" was in the paddock on both Friday and Saturday.

Harvey Von Toast (AKA Holly Von Voast) the naked paparazzo was right on the rail in the paddock for the Belmont Stakes to shock the fans. Please note before you click that the larger version is not censored.

A young fan adjusts her fancy hat in the paddock before the Woody Stephens Stakes. She was wearing a sash that said "Miss South New York".

The Celebrity Queen was there again this year decked out in her finery.

Triple Crown quick links:

Oxbow upsets in the Preakness - Oxbow led the entire way in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico with Itsmyluckyday second and Mylute third. Heavy favorite Orb made a mild move to finish fourth. Get the results, charts, and photos here.

Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, highlighted by the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Skyring and the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) won by Summer Applause. Get the results, charts, and photos for 6 of the races here.

Fiftyshadesofhay wins the Black-Eyed Susan - Fiftyshadesofhay just got up to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on Friday at Pimlico by a neck over Marathon Lady with favorite Emollient 6th. On the undercard, Last Gunfighter won the Pimlico Special (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos here.

Analyzing the Preakness Stakes Contenders for 2013 - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Preakness winner. The big surprise is that Kentucky Derby winner Orb is not in the top group!

Orb wins the Kentucky Derby - Orb was far back early but took the lead in the stretch and drew off to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 2 1/2 lengths over longshot Golden Soul and Revolutionary. Get the results, charts, and photos here.

More Kentucky Derby Photos - More photos from the day including more of Orb, the trophy, the roses, Martina McBride, and lots of mud.

Kentucky Derby undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Derby day including the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) won by 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan and the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) won by Aubby K. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.

Princess of Sylmar upsets in the Kentucky Oaks - She rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Oaks by a half length over Beholder and Unlimited Budget, while favorite Dreaming of Julia was fourth. Get the results, chart, and photos here.

Kentucky Oaks undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Oaks day including the La Troienne Stakes (G2) won by Authenticity and the Alysheba Stakes (G3) won by Take Charge Indy. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.

Kentucky Oaks Entries - A field of 11 fillies will go, with Gulfstream Oaks winner Dreaming of Julia favorite at 3-1 from post 8. Get the post positions, odds, and free past performances here.

Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - my list of the top horses headed to the Derby with profiles for each with photos, stats, and link to more info like past performances and pedigree.

Analyzing the top 2013 Kentucky Derby contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year there were is a 3-way tie for the top spot: Goldencents, Normandy Invasion, and Overanalyze.

2013 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules will be enforced this year. Be sure to read the rules as many have changed and more things are banned. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.

Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2013 - by Jim Mazur. Includes lots of stats for all 3 races and explains how to use a system of statistically derived negative angles to eliminate the "bad" picks.

Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!

Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.